Page 171 of Ruthless Legacy

There’s a scuffling sound in the hallway. I limp over to the door and push it open, to find Paxton Cox holding my doctor against the wall.

“You have three seconds to tell me where Thea LaReaux is or my knife happy friend here gets to slice into you.”

“Please don’t chop up my doctor.”

Pax’s head snaps around. He releases his grip, letting the doctor slump to the ground.

“I’m sorry about this, Dr. Rivera. They were raised like the Lord of the Flies.”

Pax says, “Don’t apologize to him. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I’m apologizing on your behalf, asshole.”

“Don’t do that either. I’m not sorry.”

I lean against the door, letting it hold me up. “You’re not?” I wave at Finn. “Him I get. He’s never sorry for anything, but you usually have a little more civility about you.”

“He knew where you were Thea, and wouldn’t tell me.”

“Doctor patient confidentiality. Ever hear of it?”

Pax stalks forward. “Who the fuck did this to you?” I straighten, staring him down from behind my swollen eyelids. I’m bruised, but I still can take him.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch and stop threatening my doctor, Finn.”

I squeak when Pax scoops me up by my thighs. “You’re my companion. Theydo notget to keep you from me.”

I’m sure my eyebrows are at my hairline. What the fuck is happening? That’s the kind of shit I’m used to hearing from Finn since he seems to think he can lay claim to me like I’m a pet. Even Holden saying it would even make sense, because he thinks I’m his personal chew toy, but Pax and I are rivals. Frenemies on a good day. We don’t care what happens to each other.

“It was nice of you to come with Finn to find me.”

Finn snickers. “Oh no, Pet. I’m withhim, and you haven’t answered his question. Who am I torturing?”

“Um.” I look over Pax’s shoulder, waiting for my brain to reboot. “Where’s Holden?”

“Wiping the camera feed so nobody knows we were here.”

“Why would that…” My gaze swings to Pax. “Why…whatis even happening right now? How did you know I was here?”

“Eloise was bragging about her scores and mentioned you didn’t show up with your challenge item by the three pm deadline.”

“That wasn’t the deadline for my challenge. That must’ve just been the girls.”

Finn drags his eyes across my body. “You’re a girl.”

“No.” Shaking my head is a bad idea. It makes me dizzy. “Not for this, I’m not. I’m a prospect and the guys had a different timeline. If…”

Finn steps closer. “If what, Pet? Why aren’t you ever with the girls?” His eyes glint with determination. “And who the hell put their hands on you?

“I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

Pax tightens his grip on my waist when I try to get out of his hold. I close my eyes and take a steadying breath. “I can’t, since I’m not the one who created the review group or challenge list. I don’t make the assignments. I just do them.”

Holden pushes into the room, locking the door behind him. His presence takes an already tense situation and heightens the alpha hole vibe in the room. I avoid his gaze because that fucker dissects me better than anyone ever could. “Hey Rey.”

“Hey pretty boy. Welcome to the party.”

---